It's Time For Some Changes

Backstage photo taken at the Betsey Johnson 2004 NY Fashion Week show, with Italo Gregorio In action for Warren-Tricomi. He had to give an interview as he worked, cameras were flashing away.
Photography:Helen Oppenheim

The great Odile Gilbert for LOréal Kérastase, Paris, did a wonderful presentation at the Intercoiffure 2013 Atelier in
the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel – but she hardly said a word!
Photography: Helen Oppenheim

Kim Lepine cutting hair onstage for Llongeruas in Barcelona, in front of over 2,000 people, 1978. This was the first layered bob which she had just created before going to Spain for this show. She made sure her model would photograph well!
Photography: Peluquerias

This gorgeous model, Donato, was found in a hardware store! She had never done photography before. The Pillbox Chignon with no pins, was created by Antonio da Costa Rocha for La Coupe in 1978l
Photo: Lorraine Sylvestre

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I am into Ideas, Inspiration, Information. As you may know. I have found out there are many different types of hairdressers, and, eventually I hope to speak to you all. I have worked with most over my career. And know many want, well, more of more. Do you?

The opportunities are out there for all of you but I have come to know that not every hairdresser can be good at everything, although they may think they can!

There's the hairdresser who likes to only work on clients in a salon. The hairdresser who does not like to work in a salon at all. This hairdresser can work for a smart salon, for a hair product company, or as a freelancer who likes to style hair in a photo studio, hopefully for editorials. And high paying ads. Then, there is the hairdresser, not always but often the same, who likes to design hair for fashion shows. And, there is the hairdresser's hairdresser who likes to cut or style hair on-stage at hair shows. Mostly cut hair!

Basically, the above hairdressers work in two different worlds. Sometimes these worlds cross and blur but, with a very few exceptions, editorial/fashion show/red carpet hairdressers don't do well on the hair stage or talking to other hairdressers at seminars. And the hair world hairdresser doesn't get to do editorials for major magazines or ads, or get to do their thing as Lead Hairdresser at top fashion shows, however big they are in the hair world.

Photo exposure and PR are important keys to success whichever world you are in. More than many realize. One thing too many in the hair world forget, is the model's face. I can't begin to tell you how many great hairstyles and photos do not get published by me because the face is not photographic or the eyes are dead. In the editorial and fashion show worlds, they often do totally boring styles. Like ponytails! My pet peeve. Same goes for red carpet hair. One has to go the extra mile to do anything worth while. Some do. Too many find it easier do more of the same, in all hair worlds!

You should know your hair history to be able to create something new and exciting that will work on many. It's time for some changes. Especially for everyday hair.

Check out some hair history, find ideas and inspiration on my website www.helenoppenheim.com - start by going to "HairThen" and "WorldGreats" on the menu, many styles, even from way back then, are still relevant today.

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About the Author:

Helen Oppenheim

Helen Oppenheim, hair guru, has been Creative/PR Director for Vidal Sassoon US/Canadian Salons (1979-1981) and for La Coupe Salons (on and off for 14 trend-setting years like no other) and "Ambassadress" for John Sahag and his Workshop for a total of four years. She has been US Correspondent for Spain's Peluquerias Magazine for decades and freelanced for many hair magazines, including MODERN SALON. She photographs backstage at New York Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Visit Oppenheim's website at www.helenoppenheim.com or her Facebook Bizz Buzz page at www.facebook.com/OppOnn2.